Death toll in Telangana pharma unit blast rises to 35
The death toll from the explosion at a chemical factory in Telangana’s Sangareddy district rose to 35 on Tuesday, with officials saying that the number may increase as search and rescue operations continue.
The blast occurred on Monday at Sigachi Industries Limited’s pharmaceutical facility, located about 50 km from Hyderabad. The impact of the explosion caused a three-storey building to collapse, triggering a massive fire.
At the time of the incident, 108 workers were present at the factory. Thirty-five workers were injured in the explosion, with 11 reported to be in critical condition. More than 15 fire engines were deployed to contain the blaze.
Most of the victims were migrant workers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured, from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed grief and said the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team was immediately deployed and is assisting in the ongoing rescue operations along with local authorities.
“Saddened by the tragic accident in a chemical factory in Sangareddy, Telangana. The NDRF team rushed to the spot immediately and is continuing the rescue operation along with the local administration,” Shah said in a post on X.
According to Y Nagi Reddy, Director General of Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services, the explosion took place during the air handling and drying of microcrystalline cellulose, citing inputs from industrial experts.
The state government has set up a high-powered committee to investigate the incident. The panel includes the Chief Secretary, Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management), Principal Secretary (Labour), Principal Secretary (Health), and Additional DGP (Fire Services).
The Chief Minister’s Office said the committee will also provide recommendations to prevent such industrial disasters in the future.
